April 24, 2020
WILLISTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NEWS & UPDATES

Dear Williston Wire Readers

We continue to monitor the fight against COVID-19 and safely getting the economy going again. In this week's Williston Wire we hear from some of our small business owners on what that looks like to them.

Shawn, Ann, Barb and Brenda

Business Owners innovate During COVID-19 Shutdown
Williston Economic Development - Small businesses will eventually re-open, but they may never be the same. The COVID-19 pandemic has completely shut down some shops while others are using their ingenuity to keep their doors open. One local startup was only open two weeks before the state government shut down restaurants, bars and lounges. The owner of Hops & Berry is trying to remain optimistic during the crisis. “This has been especially frustrating for us as we spent the previous six months getting the taproom built out and ready to open and were then shut down only two weeks after finally opening our doors,” said TJ Corcoran, owner of Hops & Berry located in Renaissance on Main in Downtown Williston. Read More
Williston Businesses contemplate Re-opening
KUMV-T V - It’s difficult to determine when it’s actually safe for North Dakota businesses to start opening again. Some people say they need to open as soon as possible to minimize the pandemic’s economic impact, while others say it’s not worth the risk of a spike in cases. Read More
WED, SBDC survey Small Business Owners; Deadline April 24
Williston Economic Development and the Small Business Development Center are asking small business owners to fill out a survey to gauge impacts created by the COVID-19 crisis. The City of Williston is preparing to launch further business assistance through the Williston STAR Fund. Survey Link
State Regulators deal with Oil Crisis
Bismarck Tribune - N orth Dakota’s top oil regulator said Tuesday that nearly a third of the state’s wells have been idled and crude production has slid by more than 20% in recent days amid the COVID-19 outbreak. State Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms told the North Dakota Industrial Commission some 5,000 wells have been shut down in recent weeks, accounting for about 300,000 barrels of lost oil daily. Read More
Tioga's Enel donates $1.3 Million to COVID - 19 Frontline Workers
KXNet.com - Front-line workers across the country, and even here in North Dakota, have put in a countless amount of hours to bring our communities back to its a normal shape and one multi-billion dollar company has chipped in to offer a little help. Read More
Texas Roadhouse in Bismarck opens Pop-up Farmer's Market
KXNet.com - A Bismarck restaurant has added a daily pop-up farmer’s market to their parking lot. Since closing the dining room, Texas Roadhouse has taken a big revenue hit. But now, their farmer’s market sells produce, seasonings, fresh juices and, what they’re known best for, steaks. Restaurant officials say they made almost $4,000 in sales in one day. The market runs daily from noon until 8 p.m. Read More
Road Construction begins in Fairview
Roundup - The  Montana  Department of Transportation has begun road reconstruction work on MT 200 (Ellery Ave) through downtown  Fairview , MT, according to Shane Mintz, MDT G lendive  District Administrator. Construction is expected to continue through the summer and finish by the end of 2020. Read More
Montana prepares to Re-open Slowly beginning April 26
SIdney Hera ld - Citing the "new normal," Montana Gov. Steve Bullock today announced the potential "reopening" of public schools and specific businesses, previously deemed "non-essential."
The "reopening" of the state, as it was dubbed by the governor during a press conference, will occur in phased steps, beginning Sunday, April 26. That's when churches and "places of worship" will be able to congregate in "limited" groups of not more than 50 people. Read More
Upcoming Williston Events
04/28 ------ Williston City Commission
The virtual meeting will be held via GoTo Meeting at 6 p.m.

05/25 ------ Memorial Day
City of Williston offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.

06/10-13 ------ Miss North Dakota Scholarship Pageant
Miss North Dakota 2020 will be crowned on Saturday night.

06/19 ------ Chamber of Commerce's Rockin' Ribfest
The competition will be held in Downtown Williston. Contact caitlyn@willistonchamber.com for more information

06/20 ------ Chamber of Commerce's Lemonade Day
Youth will set up lemonade stands across Williston.

07/24 ------ CHI St. Alexius Health Williston Golf Tournament
The tournament will be played at the Links of North Dakota.
Upcoming Energy Events
 05/05 ------ API Monthly Meeting
The meeting will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Grand Williston Hotel. More information

07/09-10 ------ Williston Basin Chapter API Golf Tournament
The tournament will focus on raising funds for emergency services. Williston Herald article

09/01-03 ------ Williston Basin Petroleum Conference
The conference will feature speakers and a trade show in Bismarck. Click  here  for more information.

09/15 ------ API Monthly meeting
The meeting will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Grand Williston Hotel. More information

09/09-11 ------ DUG Eagle Ford
The conference and exhibition will be held in San Antonio, Texas. Registration
City of Williston, ND | Economic Development | 701-577-8110 |  Email  |  Website